|
ECR Newsletter - March 2026
|
|
|
|
Support for Colleagues affected by events in the Middle East
|
|
|
|
|
The University understands that this will be a particularly difficult and uncertain time for colleagues with loved ones in the Middle East and surrounding areas.
Please remember that wellbeing support is available to you if you need it. Our Employee Assistance Programme, Spectrum Life, is accessible 24/7, offering free and confidential support, advice, and counselling to all colleagues and their dependants over 16. You will also find a range of useful resources for support on our Colleague Wellbeing webpages.
The University's Global Incidents webpage will be updated with further advice for colleagues as appropriate.
|
|
|
|
|
Research Culture Award Winners
We can now announce that, after a particularly high standard of applications this year, we have awarded 13 Researcher Led Initiatives (from a total of 44 appliications received) and 11 ECR Network Enhancement Awards (from a total of 22 applications received). Congratulations to all our winners and you can read more about the Awards in the sections below.
|
|
|
|
Research Staff Development Programme
|
|
|
|
|
New Exeter Professional Development Team
Colleagues from Researcher Development, People Development and Educator Development are now homed in a new Exeter Professional Development team. They are part of the Human Resources, Culture and Assurance Division with DVC People and Culture, Professor Rajani Naidoo, being the UEB academic strategic lead for this new team of which Researcher Development forms part of.
By working collaboratively, the new team will bring together expertise to create an improved learner experience for colleagues providing simplicity and ease of access and joining up our offering to avoid duplication and enhance innovation. This will enable us to respond in a more holistic way to the request for enhanced support for progression and development identified though our Colleague Experience Survey. The new team will be led by Dr Kelly Pickard-Smith. Her vision is to create a sustainable, inclusive and digitally enabled department that empowers colleagues to deliver our Strategy 2030 ambitions.
|
|
|
|
|
Research Ethics and Integrity sessions coming up soon ....
An Introduction to Research Ethics Review
Wednesday 11 March 2026 (10 am - 11.30 am) Online
Repeated on
Friday 15 May 2026 (10 am - 11.30 am) Online
This interactive course is an introduction to the main principles of ethics review to assist researchers with little or no experience of applying to a Research Ethics Committee. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the ethical challenges and requirements of their research. Click on button below to read more and register.
An Introduction to Research Integrity
Thursday 2 April 2026 (10 am - 11 am) Online
other dates available.
This course explains what is meant by `Research Integrity' in the UK research context, why its important and will help you think about how it applies to your research. It explains why there are concerns about the integrity of research in the UK context, signposts you to guidance, and explains what to do if you suspect Research Misconduct or Questionable Research Practices. Click on button below to read more and register.
|
|
|
|
|
Emotionally Demanding Health Research: PGR and ECR Network
Friday 20 March 2026 (11 am - 12.30 pm) St Lukes Campus
Whether you’re exploring sensitive topics, engaging with marginalised communities, or reflecting on your own identity and experiences, the emotional impact of health research can be profound. The Emotionally Demanding Health Research Network aims to offer an informal space to bring together PGR and ECR health researchers from across disciplines to offer peer support and a place to share information and resources.
Join us for our first session on the 20 March where we will be joined by Rachel Griffiths, to explore how reflective journalling can support the emotional process of research. Going forward, session aims and activities will be shaped by group members.
If you have any queries email Hayley (hlrrr202@exeter.ac.uk) or Ellie (eh728@exeter.ac.uk).
This activity is a Researcher-led Initiative that has been funded by the University of Exeter Researcher Development and Research Culture team.
|
|
|
|
|
Emerging Research Leaders Programme 2026
Deadline for applications : Monday 30 March 2026 (12 noon)
This online programme will run on 30 April, 7 & 21 May, 4 & 18 June, 2 & 9 July 2026 (all sessions 10 am - 12 noon).
You need to ensure that you can commit to all 7 sessions before registering.
This online programme, delivered by Dr Chris Russell, is focused on the practice and development of researcher's leadership. It offers front and back assessment, dedicated practical challenges, 360° feedback and compassionate guidance. We use a single, shared framework, so researchers can ground their practice and centre their insight on leadership behaviours in their existing work.
The workshops are run via Zoom and within a group setting to provide a sense of shared purpose, a variety of experience and perspective, and a culture of peer support.
It is important that you read the full programme description before applying.
|
|
|
|
|
1:2:1 Careers Appointments with Kenneth Howgill – Researcher Development Careers Coach (ECRs)
Unsure of your future career direction either within Academia or beyond Academia? Kenneth Howgill, (Careers Coach for Researcher Development and Research Culture), is available to offer 1:2:1 Career coaching appointments for ECRs. 50 minute online appointments are available for you to book on.
Kenneth can offer advice and discuss how to manage and plan your career and has timeslots from 20 January 2026 onwards. If you have any queries, please contact ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk
|
|
|
|
|
Researcher Led Initiatives (RLI) - Award Winners 2026
After an extremely competitive award process, we are very pleased to announce the 2026 Lead Award Holders are, as follows:
Policy Clinic Toolkit: A framework and agenda for public policy focused research - Aritra Chakrabarty
Exeter Publication Network and Press - James Thomas
Mapping Your Research Stories: Using Cartography and Spatial Visualisation to Communicate Interdisciplinary Research - Yimei Chen
Expanding the Audience for your Research Through Collaboration and Partnership with Content Creators, Community Organisations, and Intermediaries - Allison Stitt
Research Conversations Seminar Series: From Award Letter to Action - Cealan Henry
Evidencing Commitments to Inclusive Research Culture for Transdisciplinary ECRs - Ethan Addicott
Communicating Contentious Topics in Science - Daniel Williams
Qualitative Methods in the Mess: Insights from Researchers working on digital media - Qianqian Li
AI for healthcare workshop - II - John Panneerselvam
Embedding Creativity in the Research Ideation Process - Ibhade Akpede
Emotionally Demanding Health Research: PGR and ECR network - Hayley Redman
Bridging the Gap: Enhancing the Wellbeing and Resilience of Researchers with Parenting and Caring Responsibilities for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - Tamara Al Khalili
Developing inter-disciplinary networks and promoting multi-level collaborations: a Rural And Remote hEalth (RARE) research network event - Samuel Trethewey
You can find out more about each project by visiting the RLI 2026 winners' webpage.
Congratulations to all those whose applications were successful. These projects are now underway; keep an eye out for announcements and invitations from the project groups!
|
|
|
|
Other Learning and Development Opportunities: University of Exeter and Beyond
|
|
| |
|
Introduction to Facilitating Creatively 2-Day Workshop
Thursday 12 March 2026 (10 am - 3.30 pm) Penryn Campus, ESI Previthick Room
AND
Tuesday 24 March 2026 (10 am - 3.30 pm) Penryn Campus, Exchange Yellow
It's important you can commit to the 2 full days of this training.
Ever wondered if there is a better way to run a meeting or a workshop? Boost your confidence, innovative thinking and collaboration skills – and transform the way you approach team meetings, workshops, teaching, and research groups.
|
|
|
|
|
Coding for Reproducible Research Training Initiative
These free-to-access programming training courses are for staff. Places for each workshop series will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
-
Introduction to Regression with R (online) 16/03/26 (1 - 4 pm)
-
Introduction to Python (St Luke's) - 19/03/26 & 26/03/26 (10 am - 1 pm)
-
Introduction to Python (online) - 23/04/2026 & 30/04/2026 (1 pm - 4 pm)
-
Working with Data in R (Streatham) - 20/04/2026 & 27/04/2026 (10 am - 1 pm)
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental Intelligence 2026
Conference - Streatham Campus
7 -9 September 2026
We’re delighted to announce EI26 – bringing together leading minds in environmental science, data and AI to drive real-world impact. Join interdisciplinary researchers, innovators and practitioners to explore how environmental intelligence can help address sustainability challenges and support decision-making at scale. The three-day, in person event, will include a range of invited speakers, contributed presentations, panel discussions, early-career events and social interaction.
EI26 is supported by a range of high quality organisations from industry, academia, public sector. Check our website for details. Registration details, abstract submission, and further programme highlights will be announced shortly.
|
|
|
|
|
Human Tissue Act (HTA) - Training Dates
Are you removing, storing or using any human tissue for research or teaching? The Human Tissue Act (HTA) training is mandatory for anyone working with human tissue samples at the University of Exeter. The next session is on Tuesday 31 March 2026 (10 am) online.
If you plan to collect informed consent as part of your research, you need to attend the Informed Consent training, also held on Tuesday 31 March at (11.15 am) online.
You should attend these training sessions even if the human tissues that you work with are later rendered acellular (for example, plasma or urine). This helps ensure that all researchers at the University understand their responsibilities under the Human Tissue Act and feel confident in meeting those obligations. If you have previously completed this training but have not stored samples or taken consent in previous two years, then you should re-attend.
Contact HTA-return@exeter.ac.uk for further enquiries or to book your place.
|
|
|
|
|
What is Mentoring and how can it be of benefit?
Mentoring allows established professionals and less experienced professionals to meet and engage with one another, offering both parties the chance to progress, learn new skills and fulfil true potential.
The university has a new mentoring platform and all ECRs are encouraged to sign up to be either a mentor, a mentee, or both! Mentoring is a valuable developmental activity.
|
|
|
|
|
Entrepreneurial Researcher Programme (ERP)
Are you interested in scaling up the impact of your research but need help to drive it forward? Do you have an idea for commercialising your research but haven't got the tools to explore it further?
The Entrepreneurial Researcher Programme (ERP) is your chance to overcome these barriers and explore how you can build solutions to address regional, national and global problems.
Business Engagement and Innovation (part of Exeter Innovation) is specifically recognised in the Exeter Academic promotion criteria. View BE&I Promotion Criteria here.
|
|
|
|
|
Industry or Academia- which is right for me?
We will be featuring a Podcast episode that may be particularly pertinent to ECRs. These episodes mix personal perspectives with practical advice. This month we are sharing a Podcast with Dr Cédric Mesnage (Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Exeter) and Dr Ana Miguel Cruz (Regional Medical Advisor for a pharmaceutical company and an Exeter alumna) gaining a valuable insight about their experiences of working in academia and industry.
ECRs may like to volunteer to be a guest in an upcoming episode and can contact researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk for more information.
|
|
|
|
Research Grants, Funding & Competitions
|
|
| |
|
Dr Andrew Cunliffe has created this Funding Finder platform which signposts hundreds of funding opportunities that will be of interest to current community members looking to undertake research, fieldwork, conference visits or exchanges with our partner organisations worldwide. It has easily searchable listings and awards ranging from £100 to £10,000,000.
|
|
|
New Pivot-RP Searches for the ECR Community
As part of ongoing work to develop our university-wide support for fellowship applicants and active fellows, we have established two curated Pivot-RP searches targeted at this ECR community that can be readily accessed and tailored to individual’s needs. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the button below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IonE Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme at the University of Minnesota - applications open!
Application Deadline : Wednesday 29 April 2026 (5 pm - US Central Time)
This postdoctoral opportunity is for scholars who currently hold a PhD or will complete their PhD by this summer. The position focuses on interdisciplinary research and community collaboration to advance real-world, equitable sustainability solutions.
We will be hosting multiple live calls for interested candidates to connect and ask questions. There is also recordings of this year and previous webinars that provide an overview of the programme, tips and tricks, and answer the most common questions from applicants.
Any question? Please contact ione-research@umn.edu.
|
|
|
|
|
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for STEM subjects
Application Deadline: Wednesday 18 March 2026
Fellowships are expected to commence between 1 September to 30 November 2026.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is the leading research funding agency in Japan, established by the Japanese Government for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of science. Our Postdoctoral Fellowship for Foreign Researchers (Standard) provides the opportunity for researchers based outside of Japan to conduct collaborative research activities with leading research groups at Japanese universities and research institutions for visits of between 12 to 24 months.
Eligible applicants should be a UK resident and currently based at a UK university or research institution. The applicant needs to have finished their PhD at the time of applying to start their fellowship in Japan or have obtained their PhD on or after 2nd April 2020.
Eligible research fields must be within the remit of natural and physical sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.
|
|
|
|
|
University Deepens its Commitments to Responsible Research Assessment
We are pleased to announce we have joined the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), an international coalition committing us to positively shaping the way in which research & researchers are evaluated, helping to improve our research culture by making the research environment fairer for all.
You can find out more about the agreement and the benefits of joining from our Vice-Presidents and Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Professor Krasimira Tsaneva (Research and Impact) and Professor Rajani Naidoo (People and Culture), and visit our new Responsible Research Assessment webpage to explore guidance, resources and training or to share your own experience of research assessment.
CoARA’s Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment is built around four core commitments and having signed, we are now developing an Action Plan which will build on our existing work around responsible metrics and responsible research assessment more broadly. Initially, the Action Plan will be primarily developed and driven by members of our existing Responsible Research Assessment Group.
|
|
|
|
Research & Researcher Networks
|
|
| |
|
ECR Network Enhancement Awards 2026
After an extremely competitive award process, we are very pleased to announce the 2026 Award Holders are, as follows:
From collaboration to critique: a half-day foundational workshop to establish an ECR Network linking social and computer sciences - Mayra Rodriguez
Studying the Human Brain: Tools, Skills, and Opportunities for Emerging Researchers - Sonia Medina
Health Medicine and Bodies ECR Mini-Conference - Aimee Middlemiss
HackAI - Tristan Cann
Advancing ECRs: Writing, Connecting, Thriving - Sampurna Kundu
Open Research Cornwall: A New Interdisciplinary Network - Anna Conzatti
Publish, don’t perish! Sharing best practises for publication and peer review - April Hayes
CBS ECRN Conference Day - Katie Young
Grant Writing Workshop - Lucy Winder
HASS ECR Network Relaunch Events - Nadeen Dakkak
In (M)Other Words: An ECRN for Creative Writing - Georgia Poplett
You can find out more about each project by visiting the ECR Network Enhancement Awards webpage.
Congratulations to all those whose applications were successful. These projects are now underway; keep an eye out for announcements and invitations from the project groups!
|
|
|
|
|
British Academy ECR Network Southwest South Wales
Exeter co-leads the Southwest South Wales (SWSW) cluster of the British Academy’s ECR Network, a UK-wide network for all ECRs in the social sciences, humanities and arts for people and the economy. The Network provides opportunities for ECRs to enhance their competitive edge through skills development, support, networking, access to funders and other experts, and exclusive funding opportunities.
Development Fund – events run by ECRs who successfully gained Development Funding from the BA ECRN.
Other Opportunities
Join the Network here. Contact Linda Lanyon for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
Immersive Technologies in Sport and Exercise Conference
Monday 20 July 2026 (9.30 am - 4.30 pm) St Luke's Campus, North Cloisters 12
Submit an abstract: Call for Abstracts by Friday 15 May.
The Exeter Immersive Research Network are pleased to invite you to join us for a free, day-long conference exploring the cutting-edge intersection of immersive virtual reality (VR) and Sport and Exercise.
This event will feature a keynote presentation from Oliver Runswick (King's College London), who will give an overview of his work using immersive technologies in science and education with a talk titled: New solutions to old problems? The potential of immersive technology in sport and exercise. A full programme will be shared in due course.
Oral and poster presentations are invited- please submit an abstract via the form below.
The conference is free to attend, with lunch and refreshments provided. The conference is open to everyone, please share with your colleagues and networks.
|
|
|
|
|
ECR Community on Viva Engage
Have you noticed the University community for ECRs on Viva Engage? Lots of ECRs have already been added and if you are not on there, you can join. This is a collaborative online space to share and discuss ideas, ask questions and keep up to date with the latest activities, events and opportunities.
Have your voice heard and shape our community and ECR culture. Join the conversation now by sharing your first post!
This page is maintained and moderated by the Researcher Development and Research Culture team.
|
|
|
|
Health, Wellbeing & Support
|
|
| |
|
Find out how the University can support Early Career Researchers. The page includes support from the University, Spectrum.Life as well as a list of networks to support staff wellbeing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
